Experience Cuba Spring/May 2013

Coastal Carolina University invites student participation in a unique study program to Cuba in 2013. Three courses are available during the Spring Semester for in-depth study of Cuban literature, politics, and communication – all culminating in a 12-day trip to Cuba in May 2013. The Cuban study-travel program is open to degree-seeking students at Coastal Carolina University with permission of the instructor. Non-Coastal students must complete the normal application process for admission to Coastal Carolina University to be considered for the program. All participants must have a valid Passport.

The Cuba study program at Coastal Carolina University consists of two components, both of which are required for participation: students must register for one of the following Coastal Carolina University courses during the Spring 2013 semester: SPAN 326, POLI 326 or COMM 399; travel to Cuba in May 2013 is required for successful completion of each course.

Preliminary Itinerary:

Date

Location/Types of Activities

SundayMay 12

Arrive Miami, Lodging adjacent to Airport West Miami

MondayMay 13

Depart from Miami airport on 8 a.m. flight to Havana

Morning/early afternoon: Arrive in Havana, Lodging Hotel Plaza or similar

James Henderson, Ph.D., professor of International Studies in the Department of Politics and Geography, has had extensive experience in leading student groups, both in the United States and abroad. In term of foreign student travel-study, he supervised student presenters at the 2010 Mexico City meeting of the South Eastern Conference Council of Latin American Studies. He assisted in the 2003 Cuba Travel-Study Program sponsored by Winthrop University. He also participated in the planning of the CCU 2005 travel-study program to Cuba. Henderson was co-director of the 1984 Fulbright Group Study program to Colombia. He has traveled throughout most of Latin America, and has lived a cumulative eight years in Colombia, most of these in conjunction with his research and writing on that country. He has published widely in the field of Colombian and Latin American history.

Joanne Flanders, M.A., senior instructor of Spanish literature in the Department of World Languages and Cultures, has been a faculty member at Coastal Carolina University since 1994. Prior to coming to Coastal, she served in the U.S. Army for four years of active duty, four years of inactive duty, and completed the prestigious Defense Language Institute (DLI) for French and Spanish. She earned an undergraduate degree in anthropology from SUNY, an undergraduate degree in Spanish and a teaching certificate from Randolph-Macon Women's College, and a master's degree in Spanish literature from the University of Virginia. Flanders has visited Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, Panama, Costa Rica, Spain, Aruba, Morocco, Portugal, the Netherlands, Ireland, Great Britain and Cuba. She has worked on programs with students in six countries.

Anne Trainer Monk, B.A., has been at Coastal Carolina University since 1989. She serves as the special assistant to the athletic director for communication and women’s external initiatives. She has also served as director of executive communication for the university president and has worked in the areas of government relations, grants, marketing communications and public information. She is an occasional professor of English and journalism. Prior to Coastal, she was a broadcast editor for the Associated Press, and the managing editor of two community newspapers in South Carolina. She has been a physical education major, an English major, and a graduate student in journalism at the University of South Carolina and in communications management at Syracuse University. Monk's first trip to Cuba was with journalists and university officials from Nebraska in January 2002 to explore the economic and cultural impact of the U.S. Embargo. Monk's first trip to Cuba was in 2002 with journalists and university officials from Nebraska to explore the economic and cultural impact of the U.S. Embargo. With Joanne Flanders, she co-led the first and only group of Coastal students to Cuba in 2004.

Frequently Asked Questions:

When is the deadline for application?

The priority deadline for this program is Friday, Nov. 2, 2012. The general application deadline is Nov. 30, 2012, but some programs may be full by thhis deadline and so applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

How do I apply for the program?

Applications for all short-term study abroad programs must be submitted via the online link at: https://www.coastal.edu/academics/international/studyabroad/application/. Each complete application will include personal contact information, health form and participation fitness certification, acceptance to the terms of the study abroad agreement, statement of purpose, academic reference, and copy of your transcript, along with a deposit of $500 toward the cost of the respective program paid to Student Accounts. Should you not be accepted for the program, your deposit will be returned to you; otherwise your deposit will be applied to program costs. The priority deadline for submitting a complete application is Friday, Nov. 2, 2012.

When does this program take place?

Courses offered during Spring 2013

Travel takes place May 12 - 24, 2013 (includes one overnight in Miami on May 12)

What is the cost of this study abroad program?

The program costs of $3,887 include:

Lodging (double occupancy) and some meals abroad

Air and local transportation

Field trips and excursions

Trip insurance

Cuban entry visa

Departure tax (from Cuba)

Tuition will be paid for the course in Spring 2012 in which the student is registered.

When are payments due for the program?

Deposit

$500 due with application

Second Payment

Dec. 14, 2012 - 1/3 of remaining balance

Third Payment

Jan. 18, 2013- 1/3 of remaining balance

Fourth Payment

Feb. 15, 2013- pay remaining balance

Final Payment – tuition only

May 9, 2013

All payments are to be made to the Office of Student Accounts for credit to the respective study abroad program. The payment due dates are fixed. If payments are not received on or before the due dates, students will be dropped from the program.

What is the refund policy?

If after submitting your application and paying the $500 deposit, you are not accepted into the program, your deposit will be refunded within two weeks. If Coastal Carolina University finds it necessary to cancel the program, all payments made will be refunded. In the event the participant finds it necessary to cancel, we will make every effort to refund monies paid, less the $500 deposit and any funds already committed to vendors for the program.

How many credit hours can I complete during this program?

Students must be enrolled in at least one of the regular scheduled Spring 2013 classes noted below.

Selected readings in Cuban literature in translation. Students will read, research, and write on Cuban literature, society and culture. Travel to Cuba is a requirement for successful completion of course. A deposit for the trip will be due at the time of registration.

This independent study is a writing seminar on recent and contemporary Cuba. Members of the class will meet with the instructor on an individual basis throughout the semester to discuss Cuba and its recent politics, government, culture and civilization. Students will conduct independent research on a topic of their choosing and will present a fully documented research paper on the subject of their research. The travel/study phase of the course will occur during May 2013 and students will conduct field research (notes taken in diary form) on their Cuba experience, with particular reference to the subject of their research and writing undertaken during the spring semester. A deposit for the trip will be due at the time of registration.

This Spring 2013 independent study course offers students an opportunity to learn, write about and experience Cuba. Spring semester preparation includes an individualizedstudy of history, politics and culture and requires extensive writing, research and implementation of a reporting plan that includes interviews with pertinent individuals related to the interests of students. Travel to Cuba is a requirement for successful completion of course. A deposit for the trip will be due at the time of registration.

Does this course/program satisfy core curriculum requirements?

SPAN 326 has been approved to fulfill Goal 5b requirements.

Are there any prerequisites for this study?

Permission of the instructor required.

Are scholarships or financial aid available for this program?

The Horry County Higher Education Commission International Awareness Award is available to assist graduates of accredited high schools in Horry County to participate in these programs. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE ACCEPTED INTO A SHORT-TERM STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM TO APPLY FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP. To determine whether you have additional eligibility for financial aid during the summer short-term study abroad programs, please see your financial aid counselor in Kingston Hall. Scholarship applications are due in the Office of International Programs by Nov. 2, 2012. The applications for the scholarship can be accessed here: Horry County Higher Education Commission International Awareness Award, 2012-13 .

Do I need vaccinations to participate?

Coastal Carolina University adheres to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations. Please visit the website http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/ for information regarding your particular destination.

What are the physical demands of this program?

Physical demands are moderate. Participants should be in good physical condition.